Guidelines

The AANS and CNS recognize that clinical practice guidelines are potentially useful tools for improving the quality of clinical patient care. However, the AANS and CNS also assert that these guidelines must be of the highest possible quality in order to limit the potential for unjustified restriction of provider autonomy and flexibility in the pursuit of optimal clinical care. The AANS and CNS agree with the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) that the highest quality clinical practice parameter guidelines have recommendations supported by adequate levels of evidence; are produced by inclusive, balanced, and appropriately trained panels of clinical practice stakeholders that are multidisciplinary when appropriate; follow a validated and strict evidence based methodology; and are updated at reasonable time intervals.